Sons in Retirement Branch 146 Walnut Creek Area Devoted to the promotion of Independence and the Dignity of Retirement

Minutes of the Branch Executive Committee Meeting
November 12, 2009

I. Call to Order, Opening Remarks and Introduction of Guests

Big Sir Stu Somerville called the meeting to order at 9:59 am.
There were no guests.
Stu welcomed all to the last BEC Meeting for 2009. He thanked all members of the BEC, Committee Chairs and general members in attendance for their hard work and support over the past year.

II. Members in Attendance

Officers and Directors:
Somerville, Hallett, Gates, Binder, Burk, Darius, Fuchs, de Golia, Hockel and Rettew
Committee Chairmen and others:
Nunn, Hertweck, Ahlf, Lyman, Calloway, Obera, Marchione, Richter, Roberts, Meehan, Spellman, Baldridge, Richmond, Yolland, DeVoe and Gorman.

III. Secretary’s Report

Gates stated that the Minutes of the last BEC Meeting on, October 8, 2009, had been prepared by Asst. Secretary Jim Burk and distributed to BEC on October, 31st. He called for comments and corrections. Somerville pointed out that four men were inducted, rather than the three listed, and that the Minutes should be amended to include the induction of Richard Kincaid. Gates stated that the Minutes will be revised for the record. The Minutes were approved with this stipulation.

IV. Treasurer’s Report

de Golia reported that October Revenues were $11,341 and Expenses were $11,463.51 resulting in a net loss of $122.51. Cash available in the bank is $6,160.25.There was a gain of $75 for the luncheon. Eighteen absent members did not call in advance. Of those, only 7 sent checks in response to the “Dun” letter. This appears to be troubling trend. It was decided that the Sponsors of these non-payers will be asked to call them and attempt to determine why they didn’t call in advance and why they did not pay when requested to do so.
Voluntary contributions stand at about 89% of membership. 29 members have not contributed.
He has prepared a write-up, to be given to new members, which outlines the Annual Donation process and also outlines the luncheon call-in procedure. This will start with today’s inductee and will be included in future new member packets.

V. Little Sir’s Report

Our November-Veterans Day- speaker will be Allan Cruz, Col USMC (Ret.).
Our entertainment at the Christmas Ladies Day luncheon will be “House Blend”, a male vocal quartet, which performs its own unique renditions of jazz, gospel, doo-wop, classical, ballad and country.
Hallett mentioned that a new state mandate for a structured “Branch Assessment” will be on the agenda for the January BEC. All should review the document prior to that meeting.
He also stated that there are several Activity Chair positions open. They are: Veterans, Sunshine, Membership, New Member Relations and Sir Happenings. He posted three of them in the Sir Call with no response. These positions will be announced at the luncheon today.

VI. Committee Reports Needing Approval

Member Recruitment and Retention Committee
Callaway reported that a drawing will be held today to award a free lunch to one of our members who have sponsored new members this year. Eighteen men sponsored 22 new members. 
He also reported that there have been 10 deaths this year.

Luncheon
Lyman reported that he is expecting 214 people (including 4 guests and the speaker) at the luncheon. He guaranteed 193 to CourseCo.

Membership
Hertweck requested approval for induction of one new member, Elias (Al) Munayer, sponsored by Jim Saavedra.
The BEC approved this induction.
He requested that the BEC acknowledge a change of status of four members who have recently passed away: Russ Chaney, Otto Wilson, Merrill Hinrichs and HLM Charles Unfried.
The BEC approved this change of status.
After these changes, our total active membership count will decrease by three to 258, including 3 HLM’s.
There are no men on our Applicant List.

It was noted that our Membership Directory will be updated soon and that two copies of the print-out will be put out at the luncheon for members to review their data. Golden Gate Travel will no longer print these for us and were of no help in resurrecting the file. Hallett commented that we will probably not seek a sponsor or sponsors for the 2010 issue.

VII. Unfinished Business

Hallett reported that there had been a thorough audit of the Clubhouse audio system. The conclusion was that it was old and outdated and the only real solution was a major redo. CourseCo stated that they had an interest in getting it upgraded but that monies would have to be appropriated in the next budget (July 2010). Meanwhile Hallett is considering other options after talking to several other Branches which had deal with similar problems. He feels that we need more wireless mic’s and an audio feed capability from our computer into the existing speaker system.

DeVoe asked for BEC approval of the upcoming Monterey Mashers tournament coming up in March of 2010. The dates have been altered from previous years to take advantage of lower green fees. It will be a Sunday, Monday and Tuesday event. Cost for complete package: room, banquet and golf for two both days (Mon-Tues) is $574.
The BEC approved the event and the Form 53 is on file.

VIII. New Business

There was a discussion about how to deal with members who do not pay up for unexcused absences from luncheons and those who, so far, have declined to pay their annual donation. Somerville said that he would put together a group to study this issue in the near future.
On a lighter note, Hallett presented Somerville with his “Past Big Sir” pin and thanked him for his sage guidance, patience and all the personal time he spent attending to Branch business over the past year (which often goes under-appreciated). He was joined by the rest of the BEC and members present in a rousing ovation.

IX. Adjournment

There being no further business, Somerville called for a motion to adjourn. Motion passed, meeting was adjourned at 10:55 am.

Pete Gates,
Secretary

Final 11-20-2009